Understanding

Fiber Optic Communications

Communications over hair-thin strands of glass
Presented by

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 This presentation provided by
The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
The Professional Society Of Fiber Optics
www.TheFOA.org

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 What Is Fiber Optics ?

• Transmitting
communications
signals over hair thin
strands of glass or
plastic
• Not a "new" technology
• Concept a century old
• Used commercially for
last 25 years

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Has More Capacity

This single fiber

can carry more
communications
than the giant
copper cable!

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Communications

• Applications include
– Telephones
– Internet
– LANs - local area networks
– CATV - for video, voice and Internet connections
– Utilities - management of power grid
– Security - closed-circuit TV and intrusion sensors
– Military - everywhere!

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Why Use Fiber Optics?

• Economics
• Speed
• Distance
• Weight/size
• Freedom from interference
• Electrical isolation
• Security

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Fiber is already used in:

– > 90% of all long distance telephony
– > 50% of all local telephony
– Most CATV networks
– Most LAN (computer network) backbones
– Many video surveillance links

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Fiber is the least expensive, most reliable

method for high speed and/or long distance
communications
• While we already transmit signals at Gigabits
per second speeds, we have only started to
utilize the potential bandwidth of fiber

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Outside Plant vs Premises Installations

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Technology

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Technology

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Data Links

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Light Used In Fiber Optics

• Fiber optic systems transmit using

infrared light, invisible to the human
eye, because it goes further in the
optical fiber at those wavelengths.

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Wavelength-Division Multiplexing

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Cable

• Protects the fibers

wherever they are
installed
• May have 1 to over
1000 fibers

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Connectors

• Terminates the fibers

• Connects to other fibers or transmission
equipment

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Jobs In Fiber Optics

• Designing components
• Manufacturing fiber, lasers, etc.
• Designing systems
• Installing networks
• Training and teaching

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Manufacturing

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Installation - Outside Plant

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Fiber Optic Installation -Premises

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Teaching Fiber Optics

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Learn More About Fiber Optics

• The FOA Website, www.TheFOA.org

– Tech Topics
– Links To Other Fiber Optic Websites

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 Two Good Textbooks

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 For more information, also see
Lennie Lightwave’s Guide To Fiber Optics
www.LennieLightwave.com

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
 This presentation provided by
The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
The Professional Society Of Fiber Optics
www.TheFOA.org

  Presented By The Fiber Optic Association

©2004, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.